SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said that Secretary of State Brandon Lewis should spend far less time attempting to defend the indefensible actions of Boris Johnson and more time working to deliver much needed support to families struggling with the cost of living.

Mr Eastwood was speaking after Lewis appeared on news today comparing Johnson’s flouting of covid-19 rules to parking fines.

Colum Eastwood MP said:

“It’s remarkable that the Secretary of State has the time to run around TV studios defending the indefensible behaviour of Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and their mates after they received and accepted penalty notices for breaches of Covid-19 rules.

“People in Northern Ireland are working every hour they can to heat their homes and put food on the table. Instead of playing politics, Brandon Lewis should be using his office to bring forward legislation to unlock the £300m sitting dormant in a Stormont bank account and supporting our plan to get that money to working families now.

“Is it any wonder faith politics is plummeting when those who hold high office have so little understanding of what ordinary people are going through? The SDLP will continue to make the case for our Cost of Living Action Plan that would get emergency support to every household and provide more than £1,200 to those who need it most."